My turn with the descriptors - YouLookFab Forum

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My turn with the descriptors

kellygirl

Veteran

I'm neither analytical or terribly organized when it comes to fashion but I'm going to take a stab at this descriptor thing as an aid to help me stay focused on developing a cohesive style. It's funny because I find it easier to describe what I'm not and struggle more with what I am but after seeing Suz and Jackie's posts, I think I have more of a grasp of what I aspire to. I think these sum me up pretty well (in descending order):
Practical
Casual
Neat
Sporty
Arty/boho replacing UWP (As much as I like UWP, I don't think I really pull it off all that well.)

Based on my current lifestyle, I don't really see any of the above changing although I would like to figure out how to do "luxe" on a budget! Can you add any other descriptors that might help me define my style?

I tend to delete my WIW photos but here are a collection of the last week or so. I think these are fairly representative.

ETA: I'm writing this down so I don't forget: Practical, casual, composed, California, luxe and modern sporty boho with a touch of equestrian

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28 replies

Latest reply was from Helena

Anonymous

I'm not analytical nor terribly verbal when it comes to knowing someone's style - or for that matter, my own. But......I am reading these style descriptor posts today with interest (yours, Suz's and Jackie's) . Are you thinking that by figuring out what 5 descriptors would be , that it will help the shopping/decision-making process? I'm sincerely wondering how to make use of it . I am so intuitive and visual, that I can't see trying to shop and look at clothes with words in my head. Following along with curiosity, but have nothing to contribute descriptor-wise. The words you've picked seem reasonable to me!

Classically Casual

Veteran

I think your descriptors are accurate. If you needed further distilling of words, I suggest "sporty boho." Love your WIWs and glimpses of the latest lucky pooch.

jackiec

Veteran

Kelly - I really like your style and think we have a lot of similarities. Comfortable and modern also fit for you, I think. You do soft, and sporty really well. I take lots of good tips from your MOTG outfits

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Is that beachy, sporty, boho part of your look covered by the Californian Casual descriptor? Because that look also includes "luxe" imo. Luxe as in some scarves in fab fabrics, great individual jewellery & fab footwear
Oh I think you should include gorgeous too - cos you are

kellygirl

Veteran

@Lisap: Absolutely! I’m very easily swayed by nice visuals. I think if I can define my style, it will help me rule out unnecessary purchases and returns. I’ve gotten better over the last few years but I’ve paid my dues with more than my share of returns and closet orphans.

@ClassicallyCasual: Thanks! I think sporty boho works for sure! Waiting for my next foster but you can bet I’ll have pics soon

@Jackie: Thank you. I think you and Suz have very appealing styles. Similar but different--in fact, identifying your differences has been kind of enlightening for me because I love both of your styles!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

GREAT. You have nailed and honed your style, Kelly.

I like Peggy's suggestion of Sporty Boho. And there is plenty of luxe and polish in your look already.

kellygirl

Veteran

@Caro: Thank you I didn't really think of Californian as a descriptor but I can see how beachy, boho and sporty all kind of fit under that heading. I also think my definition of "luxe" is too narrow. I think of "luxe" as a few great pieces of clothing--I didn't consider shoes or jewelry. Perhaps I can pull of a little luxe after all. I try not to scrimp on footwear these days

@Angie: Wow! Thank you.

Tania

Veteran

Nice assessment! Sporty boho seems to really fit.

I wish I could contribute more, but I am still just taking everyone's posts in. When I've seen your WIWs, practical, casual, arty/boho stand out to me.

rachylou

Veteran

That's interesting you're trading in UWP for Boho. I liked your UWP - thought it worked very well, but so does your Boho. I'm seeing it as your base is practical, sporty, casual, neat... and then you add a little sauce... switch out the throw pillows... Yes, I watch too much HGTV

AJ

Veteran

Yes, the boots, ponchos, and waterfall cardigans really fit that sporty boho descriptor. In #5 and #7, I see casual preppy. Also wanted to add that your longer hair is looking fabulous!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Sporty Boho is perfect for you, Kelly! And although you may not feel "California" is a descriptor, for me, your look truly conjures the California of my imagination. Easy, relaxed, a little luxe, a little hippie, a lot of natural fibres...that's how I see it -- and you have nailed it!

Do you feel happy with where your style is at now? Are there places you want to go?

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I think your style descriptors fit you perfectly, and I like the addition of "California Casual." Sporty Boho also fits you perfectly.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Argh, just lost my whole post to a database error. Summarizing: There's a charmingly boyish element to your style - the combination of sporty and practical, I guess. I agree with Suz that there is a west coast casual kind of vibe, too. NorCaliana?

AM

Veteran

Another vote here for sporty boho!

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I like what others have said--sporty boho is a good shorthand-- and I think there is a beachy vibe to your looks as well. In fact, I knew you were in California, but only recently did I notice you were in the Bay area rather than southern Cal. You seem to have so much warm weather, which is reflected in your style. (Your awesome collection of boots notwithstanding!)

One word in your list gave me pause: "neat." I'm wondering how you see it fitting in. You are such a mistress of the semi-tuck, the rolled pant leg, the layered looks that include shirt-tails out. . . . These elements of your style contradict "neat," to me; in my mind, neat is everything tucked and just so. Like "neat as a pin." I don't mean to imply you are a mess! Far from it, of course. Just more casual and laid-back than I associate with neat.

kellygirl

Veteran

Thanks, Tania! Good to know that these fit what you have seen. I guess perhaps my style is more cohesive than I had thought.

@rachylou: You crack me up. I like your analogy! Don’t get me wrong, I still like UWP but I feel like I’m leaning more toward boho these days. I think it’s all of the hand knits. I’ve been trying to fight it off but I can’t put down the needles and hooks. If I make it, I may as well wear and enjoy it.

@AJ: Thanks! I really like preppy and some times feel that way with a blazer especially.

@Suz: Thank you! Your thread really got me thinking--especially with all of those great visuals. And yes, I am thinking that “California” is a great descriptor for me. I can definitely relate to all of the word associations and feel like they reflect my style. Right now, I’m content with my style and my closet. I would love to add polish and modern at some point but not just yet

@Karie and AM: Thank you!

@Laura: Thanks for the re-write. I hate it when I lose a post. It always happens when I’m on my phone. Argh! I can see boyish too and I think you are right that it’s where sporty and practical meet!

@Firecracker: Thank you. That’s funny that you thought I was from SoCal. I always feel so NorCal when I’m in SoCal (like the awkward country cousin.) You are calling me out on “neat” and I think I need to explain. I think of neat as the opposite of disheveled, I guess. Even with my semi-tuck and rolled pant legs, I think the effect is controlled so I consider that “neat” rather than slovenly. I may let my shirt tails hang out but I like them to hang out “just so” if that makes sense. You do make a good argument and I am considering removing that from my descriptors My husband would side with you--I am not that “neat!”

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Oh my kellygirl - that image of you in the first pic with that red hat is sublime boho - modern west in the best way! Fantastic. I also especially love #3 and #6 on you with the poncho toppers. So I see a southwest boho inspiration here in a modern way. Perfect for this spring/summer season.

celia

Veteran

Kelly, I always thought of you as having a very defined style.I think you fulfil all of your descriptors and the greatest change would be from UWP to more boho.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I get a Spanish or Latin equestrian vibe out of a lot of your photos. That sort of subtitles "I have money, and I break and train expensive purebreed horses just for fun, when it's off-season and I'm not sailing around the Mediterranean". Casual, sporty, but there is definitely some luxe in there. I think it's to do with your footwear and the appearance of your knits, and how polished your hairstyle looks, even though it's casual at the same time.

Vicki

(website)

Veteran

Hello, Modern Sporty Boho! I love the way you wear ponchos and still have a structure which reinforces your sporty elements. Excellent work defining yourself, Kelly.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I see what you mean about neat, and the way you are using it certainly does describe your style. Maybe I would see it as more composed. But neat works, and it's all about the meaning these descriptors have for you, to keep you in touch with where you want to be, right?

approprio

(website)

Veteran

I am liking modern sporty boho too, because this is exactly how I like to wear my more folksy pieces to keep the from going all hippie-dippy.

Marley

Veteran

Great set of photos that represent your style Kelly! And I agree with the others who say that there is CA Casual and luxe. To me, your hair adds to the luxe "feel" of your outfits - it is just drop dead gorgeous hair and definitely is part of your style!
(I like the outfits that have an assymetrical line at the waist better than those that are cut straight across - the assymetrical ones seem to add visual length!)

Beth Ann

Veteran

OK -- I'm having trouble with the site tonight, so I can't click on the pics. You look so tiny!

I like your new direction. I see your boho as a distinctly California type --- more of a "Cali Casual." I also find your looks extremely cohesive -- you are one of the most consistently fab dressers I know. Your fits are spot on, and your WIW suit your real life, with a good dash of real style thrown in.

kellygirl

Veteran

@Tex: Thank you and thanks for the beanie love. It’s my new fave. So weird because it is a bright color but it seems to go with everything! Southwest boho makes total sense. That descriptor makes me think of the Sundance catalog (which I used to love but haven’t seen in ages.)

@Celia: Thank you!

@LaBelle: You had me trying to restrain a giggle in the endoscopy waiting room--waiting for my Pops to come out. I love the “horsey” descriptor and I think I may just start training horses soon--maybe for my post dog fostering career

@Vicki and Marley: Thank you for the poncho love. I do think asymmetry is super flattering--I think that’s one of the reasons that draws me to ponchos.

@Firecracker: Absolutely, but I actually like composed better. I think it fits my description much better. Thank you.

@appropio: Thanks. I’m pretty sure I learned that trick here. I know I didn’t come up with it myself. You execute this principle extremely well!

Lisa

Veteran

Sporty boho, I like that one! And I also tend not to keep WIW photos. I would have SO MANY if I kept them from when I first joined YLF to now.

Jeweled

Veteran

Kellygirl, if you're still looking for words, I see "Natural" and also a bit of either "Southwestern" or "Western" for you. Even if you don't use those words as part of your style name, you might want to have them in mind as you shop.

Also, I don't know if you have checked out the Kibbe image archetype stuff, but I'd say that in the Kibbe system you're a Flamboyant Natural (Yang Natural). You might want to do some Pinterest searches for "Flamboyant Natural" for outfit inspiration.

Helena

Veteran

I think you've nailed it - what came to mind for me was: sporty, ease, relaxed, casual .... very California in my mind (not that I've ever been!)